Randox and Cormay Diagnostics Partner to Provide World-Leading EQA Programmes
Randox and Cormay Diagnostics Partner to Provide World-Leading EQA Programmes
Cormay Diagnostics and Randox Partner
Providing World-Leading Quality Assessment Programmes to Laboratories Worldwide
Cormay Diagnostics, a leader in diagnostic solutions, and Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS), a market leader in external quality assessment, have announced a strategic partnership to deliver world-class External Quality Assessment (EQA) programmes to laboratories across the globe.
The collaboration brings together the extensive expertise and experience of both companies to offer laboratories a comprehensive range of high-quality EQA schemes designed to enhance the quality and accuracy of laboratory testing worldwide. The partnership will allow Cormay Diagnostics to distribute and promote the RIQAS portfolio.
Supporting the shared mission of both Cormay Diagnostics and Randox to equip clinical laboratories of all sizes and budgets with cutting-edge technology and high-performance solutions. Helping all laboratories to meet regulatory requirements while boosting confidence in the accuracy of patient test results.
Cormay Diagnostics has over four decades of experience in manufacturing high-quality diagnostic reagents and providing laboratory solutions. The
company’s mission is to empower laboratories with the tools they need to ensure accurate, efficient, and reliable testing for healthcare professionals and patients worldwide.
Learn more: cormaydiagnostics.com
Founded in 1989, RIQAS is the worlds largest international External Quality Assessment Scheme with more than 76,000 laboratory participants spanning over 139 countries. With a product portfolio spanning 38 programmes, RIQAS offers participants a comprehensive yet cost effective solution to meeting regulatory requirements and increased confidence in test system accuracy.
Learn more: randox.com/riqas-external-quality-assessment
RIQAS Pre-eclampsia Programme
RIQAS Pre-eclampsia EQA Programme – Cycle Starts July 2025
Ensure Accuracy in Pre-eclampsia Testing with our New EQA Programme starting July 2025. The programme is designed to support laboratories in ensuring the reliability of biomarker testing for pre-eclampsia, helping to improve patient care and outcomes.
Join the many laboratories worldwide committed to excellence in diagnostics!
- Human based high quality serum samples to challenge your laboratory’s performance.
- Lyophilised samples for improved stability.
- Comprehensive yet easy to interpret results.
- Report turnaround time of less than 72-hours.
- Monthly reporting to monitor and maintain testing accuracy.
- As the largest EQA scheme globally peer group numbers are maximised.
- Cycle Starts – July 2025.
Not accredited to ISO 17043
Frequency
Monthly
Samples
12 x 1 ml
Material
Human Based
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9207 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 4 parameter | |
The Pre-eclampsia programme is designed to monitor a laboratory’s ability to correctly determine the outcome of the following tests that are useful for screening, diagnosing, predicting and monitoring placenta-related disorders.
Parameters
- PAPP-A (Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A)
- PlGF (Placental Growth Factor)
- sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1)
- sFlt-1/PlGF ratio
Related Products
What is Pre-eclampsia and why is testing important?
Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a heterogenous, multisystem disorder specific to pregnancy. It is defined as the new onset of hypertension accompanied by one or more of the following, after 20 weeks gestation:
- Proteinuria
- Maternal organ dysfunction (e.g., Acute kidney injury, liver involvement, neurological complications, haematological complications)
- Uteroplacental dysfunction
PE affects around 2-7% of pregnancies and accounts for approximately 500,000 foetal/neonatal and 70,000 maternal deaths every year exhibiting a clear burden on healthcare services in both developed and developing countries.
Accurate diagnosis of PE is likely to decrease unnecessary hospitalisations, overdiagnosis and overtreatment of patients.
RIQAS Serology – Chagas Programme
RIQAS Chagas EQA Programme – Cycle Starts March 2025
The RIQAS Serology – Chagas EQA Programme will run at the frequency of one challenge monthly, across a 12-month period. The samples will be supplied in a convenient liquid ready-to-use format requiring minimal preparation.
By providing carefully selected samples with Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies, the RIQAS Chagas Programme is designed to monitor a laboratory’s ability to correctly identify positive samples.
- 100% human material.
- Conveniently supplied in a liquid ready-to-use format.
- Comprehensive yet easy to interpret results.
- Report turnaround time of less than 72-hours.
- Frequent reporting, allowing early identification of system errors.
- Qualitative and Quantitative analysis provided.
- Meaningful comparisons with the largest international EQA scheme.
- Cycle Starts – March 2025.
Not accredited to ISO 17043
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9208 | 12 x 1ml | Monthly | 1 parameter | |
Parameter
Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies
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Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a zoonotic disease caused by the single-celled parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Chagas is most common in Latin America, but the relocation of infected individuals is causing prevalence in other countries to rise. If untreated, it can result in lifelong infection with up to 30% of infected individuals developing cardiac or gastrointestinal complications.
Screening is crucial to stop the spread of infection through blood transfusions and organ transplants, and it helps in identifying and providing treatment to people infected with the disease globally.
RIQAS Point of Care EQA
Designed to improve the quality of Point of Care Testing (POCT) in locations such as pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospital out patient departments, sports clinics, supermarkets, diagnostic/treatment and walk-in centres.
RIQAS Point of Care EQA provides independent evidence of the accuracy and reliability of test results.
Why RIQAS Point of Care?
Programme Offering
Tests
Role
Matrix
Learn More
Lipids (Total Cholesterol & HDL Cholesterol)*
- Risk Factor for heart Disease
- Monitoring lipid lowering therapy
Whole Blood
HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin)*
- Diagnosing diabetes mellitus
- Monitoring treatment
- Encouraging self-management
Whole Blood
CRP (C Reactive Protein)*
- Early detection of infectious disease
- Identifying need for antibiotic treatment
Whole Blood
Glucose / Ketones
- Diagnose and monitor diabetes
- Monitor the presence of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) and hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)
- To determine whether excessive ketones are present in the blood, to detect diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Serum
Key Cycle Dates
RQ9181 Distribution Month Sample Distributed Result Submission Deadline January 2024 8th January 17th January February 2024 5th February 14th February March 2024 4th March 13th March April 2024 2nd April 10th April May 2024 6th May 15th May June 2024 3rd June 12th June July 2024 1st July 10th July August 2024 5th August 14th August September 2024 2nd September 11th September October 2024 7th October 16th October November 2024 4th November 13th November December 2024 2nd December 11th December What Participants Say
What participants say
Our unrivalled commitment to quality and service ensures high levels of customer satisfaction, this is evident from the responses to our latest customer satisfaction survey:
“All in all a quick and efficient service”
“Good online system”
“Very helpful team”
“Excellent training”
“They are an experienced team”
“Very satisfied with the service that we receive”
“Very good value for money”
“The website is great”
The Importance of Quality Assurance
Importance of quality assurance
Quality assurance is an essential aspect of any clinical/diagnostic testing service and is aimed at ensuring the accuracy and reliability of patients’ results. The right result allows the right clinical advice to be offered in a timely manner. Quality assurance operates at two levels:Internal Quality Control
Internal Quality Control includes operator training/ competency assessment, analyser/ test system maintenance, and adherence to policies/ processes. Whilst some point of care analysers include inbuilt quality checks, cross-check analysis against samples with known levels provides immediate assurance and evidence that a patient’s result is safe to report.External Quality Assessment
External Quality Assessment involves analysis of samples with unknown levels that have been distributed by an external organisation. Participants are informed how their results compare with other participants, hence providing independent evidence of performance. Increasingly, participation in an external quality assessment scheme is becoming a mandatory requirement where health and healthcare services are being provided.
EQA provides assurance to both staff and customers that testing provides accurate and reliable results.
Want to know more?
Contact us or download the RIQAS Point of Care catalogue to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
RIQAS
Contact Us
A Comprehensive Guide to External Quality Assessment Programmes
The importance of External Quality Assessment (EQA) programmes in the realm of medical laboratories is beyond dispute. These programmes serve as external control mechanisms, underpinning the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic tests carried out by laboratories across the globe. By participating in EQA programmes, laboratories gain the ability to monitor their proficiency, identify areas for improvement, enhance their analytical performance, and above all, ensure top-tier patient care.
Today, we find ourselves faced with a multitude of EQA programmes, each touting its own, unique features and benefits. Therefore, the question that naturally follows is – how do you choose the right EQA programme for your laboratory?
Understand Your Laboratory’s Requirements
The first step towards selecting an EQA programme is to clearly understand the requirements of your laboratory. These requirements could encompass the range of tests performed, the desired frequency of assessment, and the specific areas where your lab wishes to improve
Examine the EQA Programmes
The next step is to critically examine each EQA programme. Look at the range of tests they cover, the frequency of their assessments, the type of samples they use, and their approach towards feedback and improvement.
Reporting
One of the most critical aspects of an EQA programme is the results reporting mechanism. This mechanism should provide comprehensive and constructive feedback, highlighting areas of improvement, and offering guidance on how to enhance performance. It is also essential to consider the frequency of reporting. More frequent reporting allows laboratories to identify problems and implement corrective actions swiftly, aiding in the continuous improvement of a laboratory and the confident delivery of accurate patient results.
Accreditation
The accreditation of the EQA programme should also be evaluated. Superior programmes are accredited to ISO17043:2010. Participation in an accredited EQA programme is mandatory under ISO15189:2022 accreditation. Choosing a scheme accredited to ISO17043 ensures that the programme has been rigorously evaluated and meets the necessary criteria of a high-quality EQA programme.
Cost-effectiveness
The cost of the EQA programme should be compared to the benefits your laboratory will reap from participating in the scheme. Although cost should not be the sole determining factor, it’s a crucial element to consider. Factors such as consolidation and number of registrations are key areas where many providers differ.
Customer Support
Finally, it’s vital to consider the customer support provided by the EQA programme. Adequate support will ensure that any issues or queries are addressed in a timely and efficient manner
Our latest educational guide Choosing the Right EQA Programme has been constructed to help you with this decision. Providing more detail on the points discussed above and more, this guide displays how the world-renowned RIQAS EQA programmes can help you maximise the accuracy of your laboratory results and achieve ISO15189:2022 accreditation.
In conclusion, selecting the right EQA programme requires a careful and thorough evaluation of several factors. By taking the time to understand your laboratory’s needs, scrutinising each EQA programme, and considering factors such as reporting, accreditation, cost, and customer support, you can make a well-informed decision that will significantly enhance the proficiency of your laboratory and the quality of patient care.
Remember, the primary objective of an EQA programme is to help your laboratory improve. Therefore, the right EQA programme for your laboratory is the one that best assists you in achieving this objective.
Neonatal Bilirubin External Quality Assessment
The RIQAS Neonatal Bilirubin EQA programme has been designed to assess the performance of total and direct bilirubin assays with levels tailored to neonatal bilirubin testing.
- Accredited to ISO17043:2023 standard via RIQAS flexible scope
- Lyophilised for enhanced stability
- Monthly reporting
- Human based serum
- Submit results and view reports online via RIQAS.net
- Rapid turnaround of reports allows for any necessary corrective actions to be taken with minimal disruption to laboratory output
- Cycle Starts – July 2025
| Cat No | Kit Size | Frequency | Parameters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RQ9191 | 2 x (6x3ml) | Monthly (1 x 12 month cycle) | 2 | |
Parameter
- Direct Bilirubin
- Total Bilirubin
Please note, product availability may vary country to country.
Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS)
RIQAS is the world’s largest EQA scheme with more than 76,000 laboratory participants spanning over 140 countries.
Key Benefits
Cost Effective
Reduce the number of EQA programmes required to cover your test menu whilst saving time and costs.
Flexible EQA Programme Options
Flexible EQA programme options to suit all laboratory budgets. Register up to five instruments per programme (volume permitting) at no extra cost for comparative performance assessment.
Accredited
EQA programmes accredited to ISO/IEC 17043:2010 “Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing”. Please see accreditation schedule for additional information.
Large Peer Group
As the world's largest EQA provider more robust data is available for a wider range of instruments and methods.
Rapid, User-Friendly EQA Reports
Our rapid, user-friendly EQA reports allow at-a-glance performance assessment. Complimentary multi-instrument, inter-laboratory and end-of-cycle reports available.
Commutable Sample Matrxi
A commutable sample matrix increases confidence that performance mimics that of patient samples.
Early Identification of Errors
Frequent reporting allows early identification of test system errors, while our rapid report turnaround enables corrective action to be taken sooner.
Clinically Relevant Samples
EQA samples designed to span clinically relevant levels ensuring accurate performance assessment at medical decision limits.
Convenient Data Upload System
RIQAS.net is a convenient, web-based data entry system which allows participants to return results and view reports online.
RIQAS EQA Programmes
Choice & flexibility are guaranteed with our 38 programme portfolio.
Browse the programmes below
RIQAS EQA Reports
User-friendly, one-page per parameter reports allow for at-a-glance performance assessment.
Browse the reports below.
What Does RIQAS Provide?
RIQAS Calendar 2025
What the Participants say:
“EcoScense LLC joined RIQAS in 2015 and currently run the General Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Microbiology Programmes. We chose RIQAS as it is the best quality and has the most accessible programmes with weekly and monthly reporting available. We are very satisfied with the service and support we receive from the Randox team.”
EcoSenseLLC – Armenia
“Alfa Diagnostica have been participating in RIQAS for 6 years. Over this time, the number of EQA programmes has increased from 4 to 12. We chose RIQAS because of its quality, well-thought-out programmes, convenient scheduling and the large number of participants. RIQAS has enhanced the quality of our services by providing a flexible, convenient and objective solution for self-evaluation. It has served as proof of reliable results for any interested third party.”
Alfa Diagnostica SRL – Republic of Moldova
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RIQAS EQA Brochure
RIQAS EQA Parameters
RIQAS.net
RIQAS Calendar
Contact Us
RIQAS Point of Care EQA
Designed to improve the quality of Point of Care Testing (POCT) in locations such as pharmacies, GP surgeries, hospital out patient departments, sports clinics, supermarkets, diagnostic/treatment and walk-in centres, RIQAS Point of Care EQA provides independent evidence of the accuracy and reliability of test results. Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme (RIQAS) is the world’s largest EQA scheme with over 55,000 participants in more than 134 countries.
Why RIQAS Point of Care?
About RIQAS Point of Care
How it Works
Tests and Analysers
Test Role Matrix Lipids (Total Cholesterol & HDL Cholesterol) • Risk factors for heart disease
• Monitoring lipid lowering therapy
Whole Blood HbA1c (Glycated Haemoglobin) • Diagnosing diabetes mellitus
• Monitoring treatment
• Encouraging self-management
Whole Blood C-Reactive Protein (CRP) • Early detection of infectious disease
• Identifying need for antibiotic treatment
Whole Blood Glucose/Ketones • Diagnose and monitor diabetes
• Monitor for the presence of hypoglycaemia
(low blood glucose) and hyperglycaemia (high blood glucose)
• To determine whether excessive ketones are present in the blood, to detect diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
Serum International Normalised Ratio (INR) • Used to measure the effect of anticoagulant
drugs such as warfarin
• Help diagnose a bleeding disorder; to help
estimate the severity of liver disease
Plasma Note – The RIQAS Point of Care range is constantly expanding to include new tests and analysers. Please contact us if your desired analyser or test is not currently displayed.Ordering Information
Panel Catalogue Number Lipids RQ9181/A Lipids + 1 panel RQ9181/B Lipids + 2 panels RQ9181/C Additional Sample RQ9181/D Glucose and Ketones RQ9188 INR RQ9189 Pipette Tips RQ9182 Bulbous pipette RQ9183 What Participants Say
Our unrivalled commitment to quality and service ensures high levels of customer satisfaction, this is evident from the responses to our latest customer satisfaction survey:
“All in all a quick and efficient service”
“Good online system”
“Very helpful team”
“Excellent training”
“They are an experienced team”
“Very satisfied with the service that we receive”
“Very good value for money”
“The website is great”Key Cycle Dates
RQ9181 Distribution Month Sample Distributed Result Submission Deadline January 2024 8th January 17th January February 2024 5th February 14th February March 2024 4th March 13th March April 2024 2nd April 10th April May 2024 6th May 15th May June 2024 3rd June 12th June July 2024 1st July 10th July August 2024 5th August 14th August September 2024 2nd September 11th September October 2024 7th October 16th October November 2024 4th November 13th November December 2024 2nd December 11th December Importance of Quality Assurance
Quality assurance is an essential aspect of any clinical/diagnostic testing service and is aimed at ensuring the accuracy and reliability of patients’ results. The right result allows the right clinical advice to be offered in a timely manner. Quality assurance operates at two levels:Internal Quality Control
Internal Quality Control includes operator training/ competency assessment, analyser/ test system maintenance, and adherence to policies/ processes. Whilst some point of care analysers include inbuilt quality checks, cross-check analysis against samples with known levels provides immediate assurance and evidence that a patient’s result is safe to report.External Quality Assessment
External Quality Assessment involves analysis of samples with unknown levels that have been distributed by an external organisation. Participants are informed how their results compare with other participants, hence providing independent evidence of performance. Increasingly, participation in an external quality assessment scheme is becoming a mandatory requirement where health and healthcare services are being provided.
EQA provides assurance to both staff and customers that testing provides accurate and reliable results.Want to know more?Visit our Importance of EQA page to learn more.
Want to know more?
Contact us or download the RIQAS Point of Care catalogue to learn more.
Continue Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
RIQAS
Contact Us
RIQAS Past Panels
RIQAS (Randox International Quality Assessment Scheme) is the largest global EQA scheme with over 76,000 participants in more than 139 countries. Our range currently comprises 36 programmes and the majority of clinical testing.
What are RIQAS Past Panels?
Available Panels
• Ammonia/ Ethanol
• Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)
• Anti-TSH Receptor
• Blood Gas
• BNP
• Cardiac
• Cardiac Plus
• Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)
• Coagulation
• CO-Oximetry
• CYFRA 21-1
• Cytokines
• General Clinical Chemistry
• Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c)
• Human Urine
• Immunoassay
• Immunoassay Speciality 1
• Immunoassay Speciality 2
• Immunosuppressant
• Lipid
• Maternal Screening
• Microbiology (Bacterial Identification)
• Neonatal Bilirubin
• Pre-eclampsia
• Serology Chagas
• Serology (EBV)
• Serology (HIV/ Hepatitis)
• Serology (Syphilis)
• Serology (ToRCH)
• Serum Indices
• Specific Proteins
• Sweat Testing
• Therapeutic Drugs
• Urinalysis
• Urine Toxicology
*Product availability is dependent on RIQAS stock surplus levels.
Benefits of RIQAS Past Panels
All RIQAS Past Panels are provided with an Excel document containing supporting data for the instrument and method of interest.
RIQAS Past Panel samples span multiple levels, making them ideal for ensuring accurate instrument performance across the measuring range.
Infection: Making Sure You Get the Right Treatment
When you have an infection, it’s important to receive the correct diagnosis in order to access appropriate treatments. Misdiagnosis can not only lead to the prolonging of the infection, but could also prove detrimental to your long-term health, such as if you become resistant to certain anti-biotic strains through mistaken prescription.
Throughout this month, we’ve been highlighting how the Randox clinical product range can assess the impact of infection. The RX series’ dedicated testing panel comprises of IgA, hsCRP and ASO which are also available for third-party use. The extensive QC range caters for assessment of infectious disease testing in both liquid and lyophilised formats.
Reagents
The Randox range of third-party reagents enables the clinical analysis of 113 different analytes with comprehensive range measurements and excellent correlations to reference methods.
IgG (the most abundant antibody) and IgM (the first antibody made in response to infection) can be used in the diagnosis of Dengue Fever. This is significant as more than 40 % of the global population, in more than 100 countries, are at risk of the Dengue Virus.
IgA is an antibody that lines the mucous membranes lining the mouth, airways and digestive tract. A deficiency in IgA is common in patients with bronchitis, conjunctivitis and otitis media.
Other Randox assays that may be used to detect differing infections include: albumin, ferritin, alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), complement C3, complement C4, haptoglobin, CRP, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) and anti-streptolysin (ASO).
RX series
The RX series range offers the most comprehensive testing profile for assessing infectious diseases within an individual. The RX series test menu possesses the most extensive infectious disease testing panel available to give an expansive picture of an individual’s health. The RX series zinc test will assess the levels of zinc in an individual, Zinc plays a significant role in an individual’s health s it’s functions include cell and enzyme production as well as wound healing.
To view the full RX series test menu click here.
Internal Quality Control
Randox has partnered with Qnostics to provide a wide range of molecular controls for infectious disease testing. Designed to meet the demand of today’s molecular diagnostics laboratory and laboratories carrying out Nucleic Acid Testing (NAT), the Qnostics Molecular Infectious Disease range comprises hundreds of characterised viral, bacterial and fungal targets covering a wide range of Transplant Associated Diseases, Respiratory Infections, Blood Borne Viruses, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Gastrointestinal Diseases and Central Nervous System Diseases.
External Quality Control
Randox have also partnered up with QCMD to offer a vast array of molecular EQA programmes for infectious disease testing. With an extensive database of over 15 000 participants in over 120 countries, QCMD is one of the largest providers of molecular EQA in the field of molecular diagnostics.
Frequent challenges, comprehensive reports and international accreditation ensures the best assessment of test system performance.
For more information on how Randox is helping to diagnose infection accurately and effectively, visit www.randox.com.
